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Texas Tech basketball: 3 statistical goals for Red Raiders vs. Michigan State

By Matthew Conner

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates after a play against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Force Michigan State into 15 or more turnovers

One of the oddities about this year’s Michigan State team is how the Spartans have struggled with turnovers despite having the best point guard in the nation in Cassius Winston.  At 12.7 turnovers per game, the Spartans rank just No. 153 overall when it comes to taking care of the ball.  What’s more, they are turning the ball over on 18% of their possessions (166th overall).

But the Spartans are extremely unpredictable in regards to taking care of the ball.  Many nights, they do a great job of limiting turnovers as they have had twelve games this year of fewer than ten, including three of their four NCAA Tournament games thus far.

However, when they do turn the ball over, they go big.   They have five 17-plus turnover games this year including three 20-turnover debacles.  They gave the ball away to Minnesota 20 times in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and they committed a season-high 24 in a loss at Illinois.

Turnovers are certain to be a focus of the Red Raiders tonight because Chris Beard’s team lives on taking the ball away from opponents.  Forcing 15.7 per game, Tech ranks No. 14 in the nation.  And thus far, the Red Raiders have come up with at least ten steals seven times.

Don’t expect too many giveaways out of Winston, though, as he averages just 2.9 per game despite playing 38 minutes per contest.  Rather, let’s see if the Red Raiders can speed up and fluster the Spartan’s trio of wide-bodied forwards Nick Ward, Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman. All three average at least 1.5 turnovers per game with Ward turning it over on average twice per outing.

Against Gonzaga’s star forward Brandon Clarke, Tech was able to force six turnovers as the Red Raiders activity in the post caused him tremendous problems.  If Tech can come away with 15 turnovers or more tonight, as they have in three of four NCAA Tournament games, the Red Raiders should be able to keep the Michigan State offense in check.

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